Women's Heart Health

Heart Attack...Know What to DoNew Milford Hospital is working to ensure that anyone with heart attack symptoms receive immediate help, knowing that many people in this situation delay seeking medical care and drive to the hospital or are driven by a family member. The best option for these symptoms is to call 911 -- which sets off a chain of professionals and resources uniquely qualified to respond in an emergency.

We hope to raise awareness, encouraging our patients to discuss heart disease with their doctors, and change behavior about steps that they can take to prevent heart attacks. We all need to learn how to recognize when a heart attack is occurring, since the symptoms can be different among men and women. Take action, be tested or seek immediate treatment when symptoms occur.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest

Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

WomenHeart
One comprehensive resource for women concerned about heart disease is WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women and Heart Disease -- a national patient advocacy organization representing American women who live with heart disease (www.womenheart.org).

Check the Hospital's calendar of upcoming events for programs related to heart health.